In-vitro Antifungal Evaluation of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Leptadenia hastata on Malassezia species

Abstract

In-vitro antifungal evaluation of two plant extracts (Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Leptadenia hastata) was carried on Malassezia spp. using agar well-diffusion method. The ethanolic extraction of the bark of cinnamon spp. yielded more extract than leaves of L. hastata with a percentage yield of 6.20 and 4.28, respectively. At the concentration of 20 mg/ml, Cinnamon had the greatest activity with a zone of inhibition measuring 28 mm followed by L. hastata with 24 mm at the same concentration. Concentrations of 10 mg/ml, 5 mg/ml and 2.5 mg/ml also show antifungal effects on the test organism. Cinnamon had an MIC value of 5 mg/ml while that of L. hasta was 20 mg/ml with an MFC of 10 mg/ml and 20 mg/ml, respectively. The phytochemical screening of the extracts show the presence of Saponins, tannins, glycosides, alkaloids, phenols and flavonoids, which might be responsible for the antifungal effects of the extracts on Malassezia spp. The findings of this work suggests that infections by  Malassezia spp. can be treated using Cinnamon spp. or Leptadenia hastata.